Lara Foley

Lara Foley is an Associate Professor of Sociology and serves as Associate Dean in the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences at The University of Tulsa. Her academic work centers on how individuals narrate their lives, relationships, and occupations, with a focus on identity construction in transitional or liminal spaces.

Her research explores occupational identities, particularly in marginalized or contested professions, and how narrative functions in legitimizing such roles. She also investigates the experiences of international students and post-romantic friendship transitions as identity-laden processes. Her expertise extends to global health and experiential learning, reflecting a commitment to applied sociological education.

Foley earned her Ph.D. from the University of Florida with a dissertation titled "Catching Babies: Identity and Legitimation in Midwives’ Work Narratives", which exemplifies her focus on narrative legitimation in evolving professions. Though no recent publications are listed, her research trajectory suggests a strong emphasis on qualitative, narrative-based methodologies in sociology.

Professional Roles:

• Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Anthropology & Sociology
• Associate Dean, Kendall College of Arts & Sciences

Education:

• Ph.D., University of Florida
• B.A., University of Georgia

Lara Foley is actively engaged in academic leadership and teaching, with no indication of retirement or part-time status. She supports student learning through experiential methods and contributes to the scholarly understanding of identity narratives in complex social contexts.